Rising star Adam Deacon targets PM

Actor Adam Deacon picks up his Rising Star BAFTA for his film Anuvahood

I’ve realised everything happens for a reason

Adam Deacon

But there’s one role he wants more than any other – to sit down with David Cameron and help him solve the many problems faced by young people today.

Hackney-born actor Adam, who recently won the BAFTA Rising Star award, has become an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust.

And with his tough experience of growing up – leaving school at 15 and living in a hostel – he believes he’s the perfect choice to tell the Government how to improve life for youngsters.

“David Cameron and I met up in 2006 when there was the whole Hug A Hoodie business,” he says.

“But I felt it was just a big photo opportunity. I don’t think he is listening to young people and I think he should.

“I’m up for having a meeting with him and talking to him about what he can do. Talk to me, man!

“It’s all good him talking to his MPs but he needs to talk to young people.

“I’ve just become an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, which was a personal request of Prince Charles. I met him and we spoke for half an hour and it was so surreal.

“I don’t want to be one of those celebrities who go there for the photo opportunities.

“I actually want to get involved in a couple of charities and get the money where it should be. I think the Prince’s Trust is doing amazing work and I am so happy to be a part of that.”

After winning his BAFTA for Anuvahood – which Adam wrote, directed and starred in – his career is on the rise and Hollywood beckons.

“It’s Hackney to Hollywood,” laughs the 28-year-old. “Ten years ago I was in a hostel trying to find somewhere to live.

“I didn’t really get on with my step-dad and there were a lot of issues in the house my mum had to put up with.

“I tried to get my mum out of it but she went back. I just felt I had to leave – it was fine for my mum to make a certain

choice but I didn’t want to put up with that.

“Four years later I got my council flat, which meant I could take my acting a lot more seriously and have a stable home.

“Once that happened I was determined to make it work.”

Adam also wants to make people realise youngsters who come from his background have something to offer the world.

He says: “I want to show not everyone from a council estate is going to go out there and kill you. Even if they talk a certain way, a lot of it is just bravado.

“Even if I would go to a premiere, I’d go back to my estate.

“That’s what has helped me make these films because I am still around these people and picking up on their dialogue.

“A lot of people are writing these genres but the kids can spot when it has been written by somebody who doesn’t know that world.

“I will always want to keep my ear to the street, definitely.”

After small roles on TV, Adam got his big break as Jay in Kidulthood and the follow-up Adulthood – films about troubled teenagers in London – which led to other roles.

But he admits his background and accent got him typecast.

He explains: “There were a lot of ups and downs and failed auditions and then it kind of got a bit political with Kidulthood and Adulthood because I wasn’t being looked upon as an actor any more, I was being looked upon as my character Jay, who isn’t very nice.

“I found where he was quite authentic and quite real. It scared people.

“So that’s what Anuvahood was about.

“It was about writing a comedy to say that if I’m not taking myself too seriously, people will realise I am approachable and that they don’t have to be scared.

“I can’t complain about those roles because I did try and go out of my way and be at the forefront of this genre but I would like to change things up now and I hope people give me that opportunity.”

Happily, Adam has also reconnected with his mum – and even feels grateful for his stint in the hostel.

“I’ve realised everything happens for a reason,” he explains. “I feel it helped me with my acting and to get into a

certain zone. I now get on a lot better with my mum.

“When you are growing up, you think your mum is God and everything she does is right but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realised she is just Mum.

“If I don’t talk to her about things it will only make me more upset. I grew up and love our relationship now.”

Next up for Adam is his new film Payback Season, out on March 9.

And with a BAFTA to his name, he’s looking forward to a bright future.

Adam says: “I play a Premier League footballer in that. He has got the high-life, penthouse flat and Ferrari but at the same time his family are living on a council estate. It’s about the jealousy and extortion which comes as a result.

“You just keeping working and getting better.

“But I always tell people it’s not an overnight thing and it’s taken me years and years. I feel blessed.”